Friday, January 18, 2013

"The pursuit of purity is not about the suppression of lust, but about the reorientation of one's life to a larger goal." Dietrich Bonhoeffer

These well chosen words appearing at the beginning of the book summarize both the content and the flow of this hope inspiring book meant to give freedom to those struggling with lust. Through the use of personal story, biblical story and stories of well-known writers, Michael Cusick presents a clear and compelling Gospel pathway to real freedom from bondage to pornography. The author adds very useful information about ancient spiritual disciplines and recent information on the neuroplasticity of the brain to assist the reader in his journey to freedom.

Many readers will identify with Michael's description of the difficulty we have in connecting truths such as "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me" or "the truth will set you free" and the experience of these truths. Our hearts long to say, as David says in Psalm 119:32 "I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free". In five parts spread over 14 chapters and a helpful conclusion Michael Cusick leads the reader into discovering the divine desire beneath sexual struggle and shows the gospel pathway to freedom.

I.Why breaking free from porn is so difficult
II.The spiritual roots of addition
a. The ways we avoid and control pain and how this relates to using pornography.
b. The nature of shame and how you overcome it.
c. The familiar cycle of how men become ensnared with porn.
III.Unearthing the lost treasure of the Gospel
a. Our deepest desire
b. Being a spiritual warrior - the need to fight against darkness
c. The way porn subverts your brain and capacity for intimacy
IV. The specific path to freedom and wholeness.
V.God's pattern for bringing about change.

Each chapter begins with a marvelous pithy quote. These quotes are like sparkling jewels waiting to be delighted in. They serve to draw the reader in and provide great summary statements for later recollection of the contents of the chapter they represent.

This book is one on of the best books I have read on this subject. I think it provides help not just for addiction to pornography, but also for any addiction one might have, including alcohol. For me, this is one of the most helpful reads of 2012.(I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.")